Disney Cruise Ports of Call

While the Disney cruise ships themselves are a fabulous vacation destination, they are also a floating 'Fantasyland', traveling to beautiful and exotic ports of call. If you can manage to tear yourself away from the activities and amenities of the Disney cruise ships for a few hours, many wonderful adventures await you when the ship docks.

The Disney Wonder departs each Sunday from Port Canaveral for a 4 night cruise, and again each Thursday for a 3 night cruise. Both itineraries include stops at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island paradise. The 4 night cruise also includes either one day at sea, or an additional stop at Freeport, Bahamas.

The Disney Magic departs from Port Canaveral each Saturday for a 7 night cruise, and it alternates between cruising the eastern Caribbean and the western Caribbean. The Eastern Caribbean cruise includes stops at St. Thomas/St. John, St. Maarten and Castaway Cay, while the Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Key West. Cozumel, Grand Caymen and Castaway Cay.

This summer of 2007. The Disney Magic has departed from its usual journey around the Caribbean, and instead has traveled across the Atlantic to cruise the Mediterranean for the summer months. It is departing from Barcelona, Spain for 10 and 11 night cruises to beautiful cities on the Mediterranean, with stops in Italy, France, Spain and Sicily. Next summer, the Disney Magic will travel through the Panama Canal to spend the summer on the Mexican Riviera, with stops at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallerta and Mazatlan.

Beware that the passport rules for American travelers have changed, and may or may not affect your travel plans. As of today, passports are required for all travel across borders by air - including Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, but not for travelers who arrive by cruise ship. They are planning to make passports required for cruise ship travelers soon - perhaps as early as January, so be sure to keep posted as to the rules. Even when passports are not required, having one certainly makes disembarking much quicker, and the wait for passports is extremely long due to the changing rules, so if you need a passport, be sure to apply sooner rather than later.

Cruise Port of Call: Docking at Key West

History

Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States, and it is as well know for Ernest Hemingway as sunset celebrations. It was originally settled by the Spanish, who calle the island ‘Cayo Hueso’, which means Island of the Bones, as the treacherous reefs nearby sank many ships before the lighthouse was erected. When the English came in, ‘Cayo Hueso’ evolved into Key West. Many famous artists and writers have called Key West home, including Ernest Hemingway, Thornton Wilder, Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams and James Audubon. The island declared its independence as the “Conch Republic” in 1982 to protest a federal roadblock which blocked the one access road – US 1 – to Key West. That certainly raised media attention enough to stop the government, but to this day, many islanders still fly the ‘Conch Republic’ flag.

Things to Do

There are no real beaches to speak of in Key West – the shoreline is quite rocky – but if your are interested in enjoying the water, there is still plenty to do. Adventure-lovers can book shore excursions (or independent trips) which include sailing, kayaking, fishing or snorkeling, or book a ride on a catamaran, schooner or glass-bottomed boat. There is plenty to see for the landlubbers, including beautiful architecture, plenty of museums, shops and famous saloons, such as the original hangouts of Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet. Of course, don’t miss the sumset celebration at Mallory Square!

Getting Around

Key West is walking town, and just about everything you would want to see is just a short walk from the dock. There are also tram tours (like the non-stop Conch Tour Train), the Old Town Trolley, which makes 9 stops, the bus system (two buses continually run around the island – one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise) and taxis if you would prefer not to walk. You can also rent a scooter if you are feeling a bit more adventurous.

Weather

Key West’s laid-back lifestyle matches its subtropical weather. Temperatures here range from about 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy your day ashore at Key West!

Cruise Port of Call: Nassau, Bahamas

History

The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area “baja mar”, which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973.

Nassau, the capital city, is located on New Providence Island. There are many historic sights including the Government House, the Queen’s Staircase and the statue of Queen Victoria in Parliament Square.

Things to Do

Nassau is a fun port to visit, and you can do everything from swimming with the dolphins to shopping at the Straw Market. You may choose to explore Nassau on your own, or sign up for a shore excursion to the nearby Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. Here is a list of some of the more popular activities in Nassau:

Take a harbor cruise around Nassau harbor;

Enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving in the beautiful coral reefs;

Have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter swimming with dolphins;

Enjoy the beach and casino at Cable Beach or Paradise Island;

Tour the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, which includes a unique themed aquarium; or

Enjoy a relaxing day shopping on Bay Street for unique items from around the world.

Getting Around

Getting around Nassau is relatively easy, whether you decide upon a shore excursion or to explore on your own. If you are planning on staying in town to enjoy the shops and sights, than a self-guided walking tour may be your best bet. If you are planning to visit the beaches and casinos at either Cable Beach, or across the bridge at Paradise Island, taxis and jitneys are available as you leave the wharf.

Weather

They say that it’s ‘better in the Bahamas’, and concerning the weather – they are generally correct! Temperature in this subtropical area range from about 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm ocean breezes. Enjoy a beautiful day in the Bahamas!

Freeport, Bahamas

History
The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area "baja mar", which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973.

Freeport, and the nearby resort area of Port Lucaya, are located on Grand Bahama Island, which is the fourth largest island of the Bahamas. They were developed over the past 50 years to be resort areas, as opposed to other Caribbean towns which grew out of a historic area.

Things to Do

While docked in Freeport/Port Lucaya, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, including golf, shopping, snorkeling, boating, and visiting the beaches and casinos. There are also beautiful natural wonders to explore at the Lucayan National Park, the Rand Nature Center and the Garden of the Groves. UNEXSO - which stands for Underwater Exploration Society - offers some of the best snorkel, scuba and dolphin encounter experiences anywhere.

Getting Around

Both Freeport and Port Lucaya are a bit of a hike from the cruise terminal, so if you aren't part of a shore excursion - which includes transportation - you'll need to take a taxi or scooter rental to get around.

Weather

They say that it's 'better in the Bahamas', and concerning the weather - they are generally correct! Temperatures in this subtropical area range from about 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm ocean breezes.

Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay - a Private Disney-owned Island in the Bahamas

If you are booked on a Disney Cruise, you will surely stop at Castaway Cay, Disney's own private piece of paradise in the Bahamas. Your day on shore is certainly sure to be a highlight of your trip, as Disney had done everything possible to transform this island into a relaxing getaway for you and your family.

History

The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area "baja mar", which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973.

Disney purchased the island - formerly known as Gorda Cay - in the 1990s, and spent over $25 million fixing it up, including dredging out the harbor so that the large Disney cruise ships could dock directly on the island without a tender.

Things to Do

There are so many things to do on Castaway Cay - from exhilarating water sports to relaxing cabana massages. Lunch is served right on the island at Cookie's BBQ, so there's no need to stop your fun to refuel. There's also an adult-only lunch served at Castaway Cay Air Bar-B-Q, located at the adult-only beach at Serenity Bay. (There is also a teen-only beach, so there is truly a patch of sand for everyone!) While on the island, rentals are available for bicycles, floats and snorkel gear, and there is also parasailing and banana boat rides to enjoy. Various sports and games - everything from volleyball and shuffleboard to billiards and ping-pong - abound. Disney characters make photo appearances on Castaway Cay, and there is a supervised playground at Scuttle's Cove for the kids.

Getting Around

Getting around Castaway Cay couldn't be easier - you simply walk right off the boat down the path to the beach area - or you can hop on the tram to take you to the main guest areas, or further on to Serenity Bay, the adult-only area.

Weather

They say that it's 'better in the Bahamas', and concerning the weather - they are generally correct! Temperatures in this subtropical area range from about 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm ocean breezes. Enjoy! - you can't go wrong on Castaway Cay with just some sunscreen and a hat!

Cruise Packing Tips

Packing for a cruise can be quite a daunting task - when else are you expected to show up in everything from a bathing suit to an evening gown, yet are allotted such little closet space? Some things to consider when packing your bags: At the cruise terminal - or even at the airport if you have an air/sea or a land/sea package - your luggage is taken by the porters to be brought to your room. The cruise line will tell you that it is possible that you won't have your bags until after dinner (it is generally quicker, but there are no guarantees), so you want to be sure to have bathing suits, dinner clothes and your toiletries in your carry-on just in case. Another thing you want to think about when packing is what type of luggage will work out best. Some cruise lines offer to store your empty bags during the duration of the cruise (call ahead to check), but if they don't, you may want to consider soft-sided luggage - storage in your cabin is at a premium! - and if there are several people sharing the same cabin, it would be even more helpful if your luggage nested inside each other. Now that we've discussed your actual luggage - and how long it might be before you see it again – perhaps the last item to consider is what you are putting in the bags. There are many things to consider - formal and semi-formal dinners, sporting events, shore excursions, casual days - and because of the whole space issue, you want to be sure to choose wisely. Consider clothing in complementary colors, so that every item matches other things you have brought, think wrinkle-free and low maintenance as much as possible, and cut out excess as much as possible (large shampoo bottles, etc.). If you are traveling with other people - in your cabin or otherwise - see if there is anything that can be shared, such as irons, steamers, hair dryers and similar supplies. Remember, it was no less a person that Sherlock Holmes (even though he’s fictional!) who pointed out that if the walls don’t distend, then only the absolute necessities belong with you, and you need to keep them accessible!

The Disney Cruise Ships

Disney' cruise ships - the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder - embody the style and spirit of the grand ocean liners of days gone by, coupled with every modern amenity you have come to expect from a premiere cruise line. The two ships are basically identical save for some decorating details - the Wonder is decked out in an Art Nouveau style, while the Magic is fashioned in an Art Deco style - and the names of some of the restaurants and clubs. Both ships incorporate an interesting dining rotation, whereby your tablemates (in fact- the entire dining room full of guests) is rotated through the 3 restaurants along with your servers and wait staff, so that you get to experience a different restaurant each night without sacrificing the careful attention and pampering of having your own servers. And what restaurants they are - Parrots Cay embodies a fun, tropical flavor (and incidentally serves a fabulous breakfast buffet, and Disney characters often drop by unannounced, so be sure to have those cameras and autograph books handy!). Animator's Palate is a most unique restaurant where the dйcor starts out black, white and grey, but by the end of the meal is a full burst of colors and Disney pictures, all coordinated with a musical soundtrack, and Lumiere's/Triton's, which is an elegant restaurant decorated with beautiful mosaics depicting scenes from The Little Mermaid on the Disney Wonder and Beauty and the Beast on the Disney Magic. Both ships have a variety of features and activities designed exclusively for the younger set, including a family pool and water slide (fashioned as Mickey's gloved hand), snack bars poolside serving chicken nuggets, French fries and ice cream, a fully-equipped kids 'camp' open 'till midnight with counselors, great activities, play areas and computers, great Disney-themed shoes (including one starring all of the kids onboard, assisted by their counselors), and more characters than you could ever meet at Disney World. All of this attention to the kids certainly doesn't shortchange the adults, who are treated to their own pool and spas, adult-only restaurant (make reservations as soon as you board- Paolo's is a big hit), adult clubs, and even their own beautiful, private cove on the beach at Disney' own Castaway Cay island paradise. Rooms on the Disney Cruise ships are about 25% larger than comparable rooms on other cruise ships, and many include a unique split 1 1/2 bath, to make getting ready easier for families. There is certainly more food than you could eat or activities you could participate in to fill several cruises, and you'll certainly find yourself wishing that the cruise were longer - or start planning your next cruise before you even disembark!